Saturday, May 30, 2015

Oh, many think my life is glamourous, but I present evidence that it is not. This evening I rinsed and pre-washed that silk-screened yards that I printed yesterday. Just getting ready for selling fabrics next weekend at the GVQC quilt show. I'll be glamourous another day.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Belated birthday gift to the new kindle owner (not me) just in time for summer reading. Nice to use some of that shibori hand-dyed fabric. And that skinny line. Just warming up for next Sunday's class at the Genesee Valley's Quilt Show.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Gardens intrigue me. I am swell in designing two dimensions, but outdoors in boundless space, a garden is a challenge. This detail of "In the Garden Party" is part of the first workshop I'll be teaching at the Vermont Quilt Festival June 25. (Registration closes June 1.) Come play in my garden.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

The gardens of the Unitarian Church are on my walking path at least three times a week. So, I thought I should give back. Today was weed and mulch day. This is the view as I pass the perennial hill. And, I'm not a congregant, just a neighbor.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Such fun to get back to printing -- these are the results from the last few days of printing and hand dyeing. I'm getting ready for the Genesee Valley Quilt Show here in Rochester June 5-7 where I will be selling these in my booth. Unless I can't bear to part with them!

Monday, May 25, 2015

Still love the idea of adding the wax to the silkscreen, rather than the fabric. That method appeals to my frugal side. And these leaves have been following me since I painted my kitchen with in "gold leaves" in 1990. My friends will remember them.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

My studio assistant (my daughter) and I set up a four patch of the New Big Leaf. She decided to make one with solids, and I mixed it together. I like the print v. solid look, will have to experiment more. I'm bringing this with me to Vermont Quilt Festival where I teach at the end of June.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Thought I would make a new four patch of the "New Big Leaf" an update of "The Big Leaf" pattern I love to teach. You can see it in a couple of days, and see in at the Vermont quilt festival, where I will be teaching this and its cousin "The Skinny Line Leaf".

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Making these is so much fun. I am using hand dyed fabric that was soaked in soda ash, then printed with thickened dye. I'll be doing this for the October workshop at the Schweinfurth. But for now, these will be up for grabs at the GVQC quilt show in early June.

Monday, May 18, 2015

I'll be teaching at the Vermont Quilt Festival June 25-28. This is a close-up of The Skinny Line Leaf design for a workshop. It's improvisational piecing, a bit of template tricks, and color theory all in one. If you're in the area, join the class! Here is the link: Vermont Quilt Festival 2015

Sunday, May 17, 2015

I've screened this apron and it seems like I used black. I've learned that it always washes out lighter, and so try and try to use a heavy color if I want it to be saturated. We'll see in the wash-out.

Friday, May 15, 2015

...all rolled into one! I've got some soda ash soaked aprons ready to take on my dye paints, some direct drawing, and (after this dries) some silkscreening. Thought these would be fun to bring to my booth at the Genesee Valley Quilt Show this June 5-7.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

I've been working on a show I've helped organize for this summer. Here are the metal hanging rods marked for various sizes and ready to be boxed and shipped. I love that these telescope and can be shipped in a smaller height box.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Ruth White shows her work-in-progress for the SAQA One-Foot-Square auction later this year. The three dimensional piece is uber quilted, and she is fussing with the foam. This from last night's show and tell in Ithaca, New York.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

The Tompkins County Quilt Guild invited Jack Walsh (art quilt collector) to speak, and after his talk, gave a rousing show and tell. The art quilts came out of the woods, along with some fine traditional works to ground us all. And yes, I am a member of the TCQG.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Okay, this is not in my studio. But the rule is: live with your work. Use your house to see your work in other light, with other objects (scale) and from different vantage points. Get the art out of the studio, hang it, and see how the world reacts to it.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

You can only cut as large as your cutting mat. So, figure out how to get the largest surface to do a long cut. And keep the crud out of the way of the cutting table. It is not your desk, or a place to stage all the gizmos you use for assembling your work.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Stay in place. Sure, take a break to use the l'eau. But if it is one flight up or down stairs, you can bet you will be distracted and not return for a while. Make sure you are in just steps from your workspace when nature calls.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

I take most of my photos with my android phone. Every now and again, the phone throws in an altered and 'arty' shot. Like this. Which drives me nuts. And I know what all those funny edges and dodging and burning really are, 'cause I did that once.

Monday, May 4, 2015

My Portland friend walks past a charter school's window at times. This quilt caught her eye, and I'd like to share it with you. I love the drawing on (what looks like) fleece, and the method of tying the squares together. Reinvention is the name of the game.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

I use a lot of fabric when I dye. And I thought I would do a controlled and scientific (as close as I can do!) study between my usual #419 fabric and the new #400m type. So I sewed them together, Let you know what happens.